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There are two flavors of "tetanus shots".
One, the one usually combined with EEE/WEE in the standard "spring shot" is 
tetanus toxoid. That is an inactivated form of the toxin produced by 
Clostridium tetani which stimulates the  production of  antibodies to said 
toxin.

The other is tetanus antitoxin. (often seen as TAT). That  is serum from 
hyperimmunized horses which is used to block the toxin in an animal exposed 
to tetanus which has not been previously vaccinated (or which is way 
overdue for vaccination). This product has been associated with the 
subsequent development of Theiler's disease , also known as acute 
idiopathic hepatitis. It is not know whether this is due to contamination 
of the serum with an as yet unidentified  virus or other pathogen, or 
whether it is an acute hypersensitivity reaction.

Things may have changed since I was in school, but at that time, I was 
taught that this phenomenon had *not* been observed in foals, just adult 
horses. The recommendation was to avoid use of TAT in adult horses whenever 
possible.

My practice is to avoid use of the stuff altogether, unless I suspect 
tetanus. Better to make sure a pregnant mare is current on tetanus 
immunizations, timed so that her colostrum is high in antibodies, and that 
other stock be kept current as well, so that they can be boostered with the 
regular TT in the event of a puncture wound.
           --CMNewell, DVM


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